THE BIG BOOK OF BOY STUFF by Bart King
    Illustrated by Chris Sabatino
    Category:  Non-Fiction
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  7/15/04
    Publisher:  Gibbs Smith
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    THE BIG BOOK OF BOY STUFF is, without a doubt, the book all parents of a boy between the ages of eight and
    eighty need to buy their son.  Why? Because, quite simply, if you're looking for a book that your son will read, this is
    it.  Actually, once they start, you'll probably have a hard time prying it from their sticky, grimy, dirt-covered fingers.

    The book is based, possibly loosely, and possibly even more loosely based on my own interpretation, on the three
    indispensable elements of a boy's world as quoted by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a World War I veteran and founder
    of the Boy Scouts of America:  "Fun, feeding, and fighting."  As the mother of a nine-year-old son who also happens
    to be a Cub Scout (a division of the Boy Scouts up to the first half of fifth grade), I can attest that Sir Baden-Powell
    was totally, 100% accurate in his beliefs.

    THE BIG BOOK OF BOY STUFF is divided into several "categories" which include:  Activities; Dogs and Others;
    Emergencies; Experiments; Fireworks and Explosions; Flying Things; Fun in the Outdoors; Gadgets; Tools, and
    Toys; Indoor Games; Outdoor Games; Girls, Bullies, and Parties; Gross Stuff; Halloween: October 31st; Holidays;
    Insults; Jokes; Juggling and Yo-Yos; Magic; Making Faces! Making Sounds!; Man Food for Manhood; Practical
    Jokes; Rhetorical Questions; Riddles; Slang; Storytelling; Tongue Twisters Rule; Video Games; Weapons; Famous
    Last Words; and Recommended Reading.  And before you pull out the parental advisory or adult supervision cards,
    please be assured that any and all activities that could be considered even slightly dangerous come complete with
    safety instructions, warnings, and, yes, rules for adult supervision and/or parental advisories.

    This book is, in a word, fun.  Fun for the boys (or girls!) that read it, and fun for the parents who watch their kids
    enjoy reading and experimenting.  To see your child bury their nose in a book--out of desire instead of need--is a
    wonderful thing indeed.  Although some parents will no doubt be grossed out by some of the things their children find
    hilarious, getting your kid to sit down and actually read a book that makes them think is well worth it.

    Kudos to Mr. King for such a great book.  I for one can't wait for the release of THE BIG BOOK OF GIRLS'
    STUFF, which is slated for release in October 2006.
The Big Book of Boy Stuff
by Bart King